What is Civics

Chapter 1, Section 1

• It is the study of the rights and duties of citizens

• This idea dates back more than 2500 years to ancient Greece and Rome

• Gender and wealth are no longer requirements for citizenship

• MOST people are citizens of the country in which they live

• American citizens who live abroad are still US citizens

• Citizens agree to follow a set of laws and accept the governments authority

The Need for Government

• Government is the ruling authority for a community

• Any organization that has the power to make and enforce laws acts as a government

• It can make it possible for people to live together peacefully and productively

Functions of Government

• Governments serve many purposes and offer citizens many benefits:– Keep order– Settle conflicts– Protect the community– Provide services– Guide the community– Plan for it’s future

• Keeping order/providing security– Enforce laws– Defend citizens and their land from enemies– Set up armed forces and agencies that watch for

the likelihood of trouble• Provide public services– Libraries, schools, parks– Provide mass transit and supply water to our

homes– Build and repair streets, build bridges, collect mail

• Guiding the community– Public policy– Budgeting

Levels of Government

• National-highest level in the US• State- all 50 states have their own government• Local- counties, cities, and towns• State and local governments cannot take

action or override the national government

Types of Government

• Dictatorship- small group or single person in absolute control

• Democracy- rule by the people; rulers elected• Direct democracy- all citizens gather and

discuss the issues• Representative democracy- people elect

representatives to debate the issues for them

American Democracy

• The US is the world’s oldest representative democracy

• “Government of the people…”- power of the government comes from the people

• “By the people…”-we run the government through our representatives

• “For the people…”-to make the US a better place for all of us to live

Elections

• Because all democracies exist by the people, elections must be free, fair, and competitive.

• Everyone’s vote must carry the same weight.• Legal requirements to vote are kept to a

minimum:– Age– Residence– Citizenship

• In a democracy individuals have he right to develop their own talents

• Another principle is majority rule: we also insist on respect for the rights of those in the minority.